Albania: 23 candidates for "Festivali i Këngës"

Albanian broadcaster RTSH announced 24 hopefuls for the 55th edition of "Festivali i Këngës". The winner of the competition will be chosen in two semi-finals on 21st and 22nd December, followed by the national final on 23rd December 2016. The shows will be hosted by Ledina Çelo in Pallati i Kongreseve.

"Festivali i Këngës"

• Albulena Jashari - "Fjalët ia lë zemrës"
• Classic Boys - "Dashuria për jetën"
• Dilan Reka - "Mos harro"
• Edea Demaliaj - "Besoj në ëndrra"
• Elson Braha - "Edhe një herë"
• Erlind Zeraliu - "Dhimbja e gëzimit"
• Fabiola Agalliu & Agnesa Çavolli - "Shkon e vjen"
• Festina Mejzini - "Atje lart"
• Flaka Krelani - "S'dua t'flas"
• Franc Koruni - "Macka"
• Genc Salihu - "Këtu"
• Linda Halimi - "Bota"
• Linda Rukaj - "Vija e lumit"
• Lorela - "Me ty"
• Lynx - "Sot"
• Luka & Serxhio Hajdini - "Koha plaket"
• Neki Emra - "Dashuri dhe urrejtje"
• Orges Toçe - "Shi diamantësh"
• Rezarta Smaja - "Pse prite gjatë"
• Tiri - "Më zgjo"
• Yll Limani - "Shiu"
• Xuxi - "Metropol"
• Xhesika Polo - "Eva jam unë"

The running order for the two semi-finals will be announced soon.

"Festivali i Këngës 2016" - Show dates

• 21.12.2016 - Semi-Final 1
• 22.12.2016 - Semi-Final 2
• 23.12.2016 - National Final

Eneda Tarifa won "Festivali i Këngës 2015" and represented Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm. Her song "Fairytale" failed to qualify to the Eurovision final by ending on 16th place in the second semi-final. 

The winner of "Festivali i Këngës 2016" will be honoured to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kiev. Who will participate in one of the semi-finals on 9th or 11th May 2017 in Urkaine?

Find out more about "Festivali i Këngës" here:

• Festivali i Këngës (Facebook)
• Festivali i Këngës (Homepage)
• Festivali i Këngës (Youtube)